Syrian activists attack Russian embassy in London

London: Opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pelted the Russian embassy in London with stones overnight, causing significant damage to the building, the embassy said in a statement on Friday.

"On the night of August 16-17, the consulate department of the Russian Embassy in London was attacked by a large group of people who were chanting slogans against the Syrian government and throwing stones at the building hosting the diplomatic mission," it said.

The building had several window glasses shattered and suffered "significant material damage", it said. None among the embassy employees was, however, hurt.

Russian diplomats expressed regret over the conduct of London police who they said had arrived at the scene but "failed to take proper measures to neutralise the unsanctioned demonstration which was under way and detain the attackers".

Earlier this year, supporters of the Syrian opposition splattered paint on the embassy fence, it said, adding that such attacks were violating the principle of immunity of diplomatic missions.

Russia, along with China, has vetoed three Western-backed UN Security Council resolutions against Assad, citing a pro-rebel bias.